Dance with Me?

I haz no dancing skillz. I'm a lefty with two left feet! Dancing is one of the few things that can turn this confident, outgoing bride into a reluctant wallflower. Confession: I've never really gone dancing. That whole part of young adulthood... I missed the memo. Merengue? Tried it while studying abroad in the Dominican Republic; never took, my hips don't move like that.

Do these diagrams confuse anyone else??
This whole "dancing thing" (because it is now a thing for me) was brought to the forefront quite recently as I watched our newly married friends kicking up their well-choreographed heels at their wedding in Mexico. As the night wore on, Mr. PaC joined the fray with some impromptu and hysterical moves. And where was I? Hiding behind the lens of my camera, capturing everyone else cutting loose.

Charmed I'm Sure

As a nod to my avatar on Weddingbee, I'm doing something special and tiny -- a tiny pain au chocolat charm will be attached to my bouquet. Sneaking in this little reminder of the hive will have me smiling all day... and undoubtedly craving the chocolatey breakfast treat!


Etsy, with it's treasure trove of vendors, was my go-to source yet again. Miss Lox tipped me off about the shop, Inedible Jewelry, that created her super cute charm. One custom request later, my very own breakfast food charm had arrived.

Cinco de Mayo

Mr. PaC and I jetting off to attend our friends' wedding in Mexico... on Cinco de Mayo! All I can think is gonna be one heck of a celebration!

Wedding pavilion at sunset
Initially, I dug my heels deep into the beach sand over the time, expense, and additional stress of traveling less than one month before our wedding. But you know what? I'm glad Mr. PaC convinced me we should go. At 30 days out, an odd sense of calm has come over me and I find myself looking forward to the downtime, shaking loose of all the wedding stress, and most of all, celebrating with our friends and the newlyweds.

The resort shortly after opening in 2008 during our first trip.
See you when we return from our practice honeymoon! (Mr. PaC's name for this trip.)

What sacrifices would you make to attend a friend's destination wedding?

Wishi-Washi

Okay hive, it's voting time! For your consideration, I've created mock-ups of three washi tape patterns: stripes, criss-cross/overlap and plaid. As some predicted, the plaid wasn't so easy. (Please be kind and don't vote for plaid. I can't create 100 of these buggers!)

Starting in the upper left going clockwise, we've got plaid, diagonal stripe, vertical stripe, and criss-cross/overlap.

Blue washi tape for our salmon folks

That's Logistics

Before our last meeting at Greenville Country Club, we had a list of burning questions. Yesterday we met again with our venue coordinator to square away those pesky 30-day-out details and put out the embers of those aforementioned questions. So what did we figure out?

Set-up
1. Yes! to a sparkler send-off!!! Now we have to decide how to fit a sparkler send-off into the evening without disrupting the flow. The common sense approach (suggested by Linda) is to round everyone up at the very end of the night. That way they're already set to go, outside and waiting for the shuttles. Two birds, one stone! (This scenario leaves us without a photographed send-off or extending the photographers' stay by 1.5 hours.)

Mr. PaC measuring for lantern height on the terrace
2. We can set up anytime Friday (rehearsal day) before 11am or between 2-5pm. We'll be at the venue between 3-4pm on Friday to rehearse anyway. So far, there are no confirmed events the day before to limit our access. Obviously, setting up the day before is ideal but if there is an event, we still have the morning of the wedding and an army of wedding helpers (friends with ladders) to assist where needed.

April Showers

For April Fool's day, my parents arrived for a little visit just 60 days out from the big day. With my sister. And my cousin J, who's never visited us before. But nothing funny was going on. When I tried to pin down activities for the weekend, they were vague and indecisive. Bridesmaid R and my FMIL had been unusually quiet in the previous weeks. And poor Mr. Pain au Chocolat had been stressing all week about preparing the house for my family, stockpiling food and scrutinizing every corner of the house. What is going on?


My (surprise) bridal shower!

From Japan with Love

I love getting things in the mail. Do you remember how ridiculously excited I got over washi tape? Nothing could top that... except for receiving washi tape in the mail!


I chose to order my washi tape from an etsy seller in Japan. UGUiSU had the colors I needed at a great price AND I wanted to show support for the Japanese people, even if it was in a small way.

Say What?

When looking for readings for our ceremony, we thought about borrowing a page from well-loved books from our childhood. Mr. PaC found two semi-suitable Shel Silverstein poems but I nixed them since they felt more appropriate for a graduation speech or anniversary toast ("Listen to the Mustn'ts" and "The Folks Inside," respectively).

Image via: OneWed / Photographer: Kevin Mullins Photography

Buried Under a Pile of Details

"It's more interesting to have just a picture of a small detail - then you can dream all the rest around it. Because when you see the whole thing, what is there to imagine?"
- Dries Van Noten

Another weekend, another DIY project. In keeping with the above quote, here's a sneak peek of what Mr. PaC has been up to:


What have you recently crossed off your to-do list?

Cake Confirmed

Our baker has approved our cake design and flavors! Wanna see which design we picked?

Image via Real Simple / Bakery: Eat Cake Be Merry

Dress fitting results

Do you remember the great bustle debate? On our last visit to the bridal salon, the consultant demonstrated two bustle options: American and French. Bridesmaid R and I were pretty much sold on the French style. When I asked the hive, you guys responded with an emphatic "American!" Even your words of wisdom and combined years of experience weren't enough to move me from my stubborn French position.

American! No, French! The Great Bustle Battle waged war in my brain for weeks. Images via the CIA World Factbook: USA &
France

Dress fitting tomorrow

Tomorrow is my first dress fitting! What I'm feeling tonight is a mix of excitement and hesitation. Excited, of course, because it's my dress. (We're getting close, hive!) Hesitant because of the what if's. Off the rack, the dress fits... in the loosest definition of the word. Taking it in at the waist and bust will surely help but will it create the desired curves?

Undergarments, oh my. They're something I'd like to avoid, if at all possible. June will be hot and sticky. Does the bride have to be hot and sticky too? Less layers, happier me.

And then there's the bustle. Going into the fitting, I haven't entirely decided which style it will be... I'll have my listening ears on as the dress-maker makes her recommendations. Ever helpful Bridesmaid R is making the introduction (thank you!) and will snap photos so I can show you guys.

Wish me luck!

Any insights or recommendations for a bride the night before her first fitting?

Ties for the Guys

What is it about men that allows an otherwise PITA chore to be so effortless?

Case in point: On a errand-filled Saturday, I suggested we pop into Macy's to just browse through the ties. And half an hour later, Mr. PaC had found not only his tie, but coordinating ties for his groomsmen!


From left: Ties for Mr. PaC, best man/brother M, and groomsman J

Splitting Hairs

I'm experiencing a bit of hair indecision. Confession time! I haven't had a hair trial yet. I booked my hairstylist without meeting her! Don't worry - I will have a hair trial, eventually. But because I haven't tried any of the hairstyles below, I'm not sure which is best for my gown, hair flower and personal style. So, I'm looking to you ladies for recommendations and advice! You can weigh in at the end of the post.

Image via 100 Layer Cake / Photo by Eric Lundgren

Escort me to Obsession-ville

OMG, someone restrain me! Take away my credit card or freeze it in a block of ice.

Image via MKwonderland / movie still from Confessions of a Shopaholic
I've just added $60 of washi tape/happy tape to my etsy cart and cannot stop. It's a rush hunting down the rolls in my color palette. Bright yellows, pretty blues and greens, punchy pinks... Thinking of all the lovely color combinations and future non-wedding uses has me giddy with excitement.


Images (sorbet colors and stripe dot grid) via PrettyTape